Off The Field

On The Field

News

All Blacks

Pumas want to attack the AllBlacks

James Mortimer 25 Sep 2012 getty

If early insight into Pumas training so far this week proves to be true, then it could be a very different Pumas who run out on to La Plata to play the All Blacks on Sunday (NZT), with plenty of focus on attacking moves so far this week.

The Argentineans have so far trained at the Belgrano Athletic Club, a famous institution that along with Buenos Aires FC, Lomas and Rosario in 1899 formed "The River Plate Rugby Union", the origin of today's Argentine Rugby Union (UAR).

While the All Blacks have singled out the Pumas work at the breakdown and their defensive system as key factors to combat, the Pumas are more than willing to take the fight to the World Champions

Fullback Lucas González Amorosino said they were going to play the All Blacks and their own game.

"We have been working the ruck and attack area," Amorosino said.

"We aim to retain the ball and play peer-to-peer (and) I imagine it will be a dynamic game."

The famous South American support will be on display this weekend, but even as the All Blacks have said they are wary of noise levels beyond what they experience at home, Amorsosino said the team didn't want to get caught up in the emotion of playing in front of local supporters.

"Playing local is a plus because people always follow us, but we have to try to keep it aside and concentrate on making a good match," he said.

The Pumas are clearly treating this match with a fierce seriousness, training last week while their counterparts by and large disbanded, and two training sessions and some gym work compared to the All Blacks who continue to recover from the timezone difference, taking part in their first session today in front of about 200 locals.

Manuel Carizza said that they were ready and prepared to focus for the entire test to try and record their first test win over New Zealand.

"Now we start a new week (and we are) eager to continue to grow," the big lock said.

"I think that it will be similar to the last game (in Wellington) very hard and where we can not relax."